Blood Flows and the Foot Goes: Understanding Vascular Conditions in Podiatry
In life, vascular problems don’t start and stop with the heart; they can pump down to the feet and ankles, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life. That’s why understanding the various conditions that can affect the foot region can help you effectively manage the problem.
So today, we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center will discuss varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, spider veins, and others. Let’s flow.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear as blue or purple bulges under the skin. Typically, they are caused by attenuated or damaged vein valves, which can lead to blood pooling and increased pressure in the veins.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs are unable to pump blood back to the heart efficiently. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including swelling, pain, fatigue, and skin changes. CVI can also be caused by a variety of factors, including age, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, superficial blood vessels that appear as red or purple webs. Since they are essentially a mild form of varicose veins, they are not as much of a cosmetic concern.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT can be painful and can lead to complications, such as pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung).
Treatment and Prevention
In addition to pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, genetic predisposition, obesity, and hormonal changes are all risk factors for vascular problems.
The treatment, therefore, depends on the specific condition and its severity. Options may include:
Lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss, exercise, avoiding prolonged standing or sitting)
Compression stockings
Medications
Sclerotherapy (a procedure to treat spider veins)
Surgery (in severe cases)
At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are eager to serve our Hartford County patients. To book an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.